The good news for Tony Abbott

About a quarter of voters are happy with Tony Abbott's performance, says Newspoll. Source: AFP

TONY Abbott's Government has enjoyed a bump in the opinion polls, while Bill Shorten has crashed to his lowest ever personal approval rating.

Newspoll taken for The Australian shows the Coalition's primary vote rose three points in the past fortnight to 38 per cent, while Labor's fell three points, also sitting at 38 per cent.

On a two-party preferred basis, Labor still leads but the Coalition has closed the gap.

CREDLIN UNION POSES 'CONFLICT OF INTEREST'

Two weeks ago the Coalition trailed 43-57; today's Newspoll show a tightening to 47-53 per cent.

The percentage of people who were satisfied with Mr Abbott's performance as prime minister rose slightly to 25 per cent, while his high dissatisfaction rating was unchanged at 68 per cent.

But Mr Shorten took a big personal hit, with the percentage of people satisfied with the way he was doing his job as Opposition Leader falling to a record low of 35 per cent, down from 42 per cent.

Those dissatisfied rose to 49 per cent.

The poll was taken over the weekend, when Mr Abbott was in the news talking about his response to terrorists.

It comes two weeks after a vote in the partyroom to spill Mr Abbott's leadership was defeated 39-61.

Originally published as The good news for Tony Abbott

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Teaching terror to the junior jihadis

Somalia's al Shabaab militants are claiming responsibility for the bombing of a hotel in Mogadishu, which killed at least 10 people including a lawmaker and wounded two ministers. Mana Rabiee reports.

ISLAMIC State terrorists have opened a ­"junior jihadi" training camp teaching young recruits how to fight, and new schools for English-speaking kids which may service the five children of notorious Sydney terrorist Khaled Sharrouf.

The death cult has released a new film showing children dressed in combat fatigues and wearing Islamic bandannas.

AUSSIE DUAL NATIONALS IN FIRING LINE

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ABBOTT THREATENS CRACKDOWN ON EXTREMISTS

NO IMMINENT THREAT TO WESTFIELDS CENTRES

Charles Lister — a visiting fellow at the Brookings Doha Centre — initially posted photos of the Raqqa training camp named Camp Farouq.

An apparent IS information poster about a new boys and girls school and children's park has outlined details for the schools.

Boys pose for a class photo at Abu Mus'ab Zarqawi School / Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

"By the grace of Allah we have opened schools for English speaking children," the poster claims. "The boys school is called Abu Mus'ab Zarqawi School and the girls school is called Aisha School and is located next door."

The school is named after Sharrouf's hero and murderer Abu Musab al-Zarqawi who was the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq until his death.

The nine-minute video of the training camp shows boys doing physical training while children hold up Islamic State flags. A teacher shouts instructions at the children and leads them in a series of Arabic chants.

PM ABBOTT'S NATIONAL SECURITY ADDRESS IN FULL

Students at the Abu Mus'ab Zarqawi School / Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

The Daily Telegraph could not confirm if Sharrouf's sons — who have been photographed holding up the heads of Syrian soldiers and showing off assault rifles — appeared in the video.

Monash University terrorism expert Professor Greg Barton told The Daily Telegraph the radicalisation of children in a war zone would leave them "badly traumatised".

"It's a truly horrible situation. You also have to think of the impact on the local children and the population controlled by IS and the pressures they are under," he said.

Khaled Sharrouf and boys believed to be his sons / Picture: Supplied Source: Twitter

Originally published as Teaching terror to the junior jihadis

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Did sexual assault lead to this soldier’s suicide?

Jamie was getting ready to open Orangetheory Fitness. Source: Facebook

THE family of a woman who committed suicide earlier this month believe she may have been sexually assaulted in Afghanistan.

Air Force Reserve Captain Jamie Brunette left active duty after 11 years of service in June last year. Less than a year later, she was found dead.

By all accounts, Ms Brunette was popular, driven and successful — she rose through the military ranks quickly, earned a perfect score on every fitness test she took, oversaw nearly $80 million worth of security and infrastructure contracts in Afghanistan, was presented with the Contracting Officer of the Year award by the Air Mobility Command, and was getting ready to open a fitness business with a fellow soldier.

But on February 9 2015, the 30-year-old fatally shot herself in her car outside of her Florida apartment.

Jamie Brunette committed suicide on February 9. Source: Facebook

Friends and family first wondered about what might have happened to Ms Brunette in Afghanistan after she seemed to withdraw into herself upon her return home. She got a new boyfriend and started partying a lot, and while she appeared bubbly and her work ethic did not change, she was reluctant to give details about her mental and emotional state.

The initial report from Hillsborough County medical examiner on Ms Brunette's suicide states that she had a "long tobacco and alcohol abuse history and was suffering from depression and anxiety," according to the Tampa Tribune. Ms Brunette had also confided to her roommate that she was seeking treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

"I do not know the detail, but unequivocally I can say, yes, something happened, something that should never happen to a human," Air Force Lt. Col. Kurt Spranger, who was Ms Brunette's business partner, told the Tampa Tribune of her time in the army.

"Something happened and it was why she wanted to get out. So she wouldn't have to deploy again," he said.

"Whatever happened to her, she buried it and I think it killed her in the end," added Ms Brunette's sister Jackie Leverich.

"I suspect she was assaulted and she didn't feel comfortable reporting it for some reason and internalised the incident so she could finish her deployment, which she did with flying colours. It's not anything she told me, just from talking with all her friends this past week and piecing those things together.

"I am female active duty, 18 years in the Coast Guard. I am well aware of those issues, and that's my gut feeling," she said.

Jamie Brunette on duty. Source: Facebook

Indeed, sexual assault is an issue that's plagued the armed forces for years. It came to a head for Australia in 2013, when the Australian Defence Force uncovered sexual misconduct within the force by a group calling themselves "Knights of the Jedi Council".

The Knights of the Jedi Council filmed themselves with unsuspecting women before emailing images of their sexual encounters to 107 men including a Lieutenant Colonel, majors, captains, warrant officers and corporals.

"I am appalled at this situation," Lieutenant-General David Morrison said at the time.

"The imagery is explicit, derogatory, demeaning and repugnant to me.

"We are all entitled to a basic right of dignity. On the evidence I have seen to date, that dignity has been traduced."

Lt-Gen Morrison took immediate action, investigating and ending the careers of many involved and telling the rest of his troops that "if you're not up to it, find something else to do with your life. There is no place for you among this band of brothers and sisters."

Brunette working on her new fitness business. Source: Facebook

In America, reports of sexual assault and rape incidents in the military are up by 50 per cent, but war veterans still have a 41 to 61 per cent higher risk of suicide than everyone else. In fact, 22 veterans take their own lives each day, according to a 2012 Department of Veterans Affairs study — and Ms Brunette is now part of that statistic. PTSD is a primary concern, and President Obama is the latest notable to add his support to the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for America's Veterans Act, which endeavours to improve the "accessibility and effectiveness of mental health care available to our returning heroes."

"She would honestly be the last person we would ever think would do this, ever," Ms Brunette's sister Jackie Leverich told the Tampa Tribune.

"If she did this, I can't even imagine what other people are going through. She helped so many people throughout her life that if we can help some people through her death, and get the word out about PTSD, she would want that."

If you or someone you know needs help, contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 or at

www.beyondblue.org.au

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The conversation Australia needed to have

On Q and A the topic of domestic violence was tackled with Australian of The Year Rosie Batty. Courtesy: ABC

Admiration ... Passionate advocate for an end to domestic violence, Rosie Batty, drew an emotional response for her appearance on ABC's QandA. Picture: News Corp Australia. Source: News Corp Australia

IT WAS the conversation Australia needed to have.

As soon as Australian of the Year and outspoken campaigner against domestic violence, Rosie Batty, opened her mouth on ABC's Q&A, the Twitter sphere went into overdrive, with some users going as far as to call domestic violence the one, real threat to Australia — greater even than terrorism.

Ms Batty, who catapulted into the limelight as a fervent campaigner against domestic violence after her son, Luke, was beaten to death by his father on a cricket oval in Melbourne last year, gave another heartfelt performance, eloquently popping popular — and often inaccurate — myths about domestic violence.

"I live in a nice house, I am an independent, single woman, I'm a professional, I'm educated — if it can happen to me, it can happen to everybody."

In what was perhaps one of the sadder moments of a very frank and painful speech, Ms Batty said that despite the "shame lying squarely with the perpetrator ... you can't always trust the response [you get] from the people you turn to help you."

"And that needs to change," she said, sadly.

Brave ... Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty, turned the horrific murder of her son, Luke, by his father into a public discussion about domestic violence. Picture: News Corp Australia Source: News Corp Australia

Her experience — so well-known, yet no less heartbreaking — resonated with audience members and social media users across the nation, who took to Twitter to express their own grief in what soon turned into a collective and public catharsis.

When faced with the oft-asked question, "Why didn't she just leave?", Ms Batty reiterated what all domestic violence services say: that the question of why a woman stays is not the main point.

"They don't want to leave — they just want ... the violence to stop," Ms Batty said.

"Why would you want to leave your home, your family, the dreams that you've built? Nobody wants to leave something [like that].

"What we want is for effective programs for men to be given the opportunity to change their behaviour."

Australia's Ambassador for Women and Girls and former Australian Democrats Senator, Natasha Stott Despoja, routinely drew rounds of applause for her strong stance against violence, as well as her advocacy for gender equality.

"Violence against women is an emergency I believe in Australia ... and we need political power to change it," she said.

Partnership ... Natasha Stott Despoja, Chair of Foundation to Present Violence against Women and their Children and Ken Ley, Chief Commissioner of the Victorian Police, share the stage for today's address to the National Press Club in Canberra. Picture: News Corp Australia Source: News Limited

Ms Stott Despoja pointed out that every part of society — from the workplace, to schools, to corporations and governments — have a responsibility to be role models for both men and women, and that movies such "Fifty Shades of Grey ... have done us no favours."

"It is such rigid gender stereotyping that do men and women no favours."

Although the panel acknowledged that men were also victims of domestic abuse, Ms Stott Despoja reiterated that an overwhelming number of victims were women and to not forget that.

The three male panellists — Simon Santosha, the managing director of Men and Family Counselling and Consultancy; Victoria Police Acting Chief Commissioner Tim Cartwright; and local ABC radio sports broadcaster and campaigner against domestic violence, Charlie King — spoke frankly about the need for men to step up, own up to their faults, and choose to change their violent behaviour.

"If we want to protect women and children form harm, the best thing we can do is engage the bloke early and make them stay engaged," Mr Santosha said.

"Men don't set out to be violent. There is progression. Often it's a series of events that happen, and unless we can get to them early … terrible things can happen."

He flagged sex education as one of the starting points of engagement with young men, and urged parents and schools to tackle the issue of mobile phone and internet sex as early as possible.

"When 12, 13 and 14-year-olds are watching these images and it's shaping what they perceive women want, and no one is telling them otherwise ... all they've got is their mobile and internet pornography. And that's truly terrifying".

Popular ... Acting Chief Commissioner Tim Cartwright was a hit on Monday's Q and A about domestic violence. Picture: Mike Keating. Source: News Corp Australia

But it was Mr Cartwright who, with one, short statement, received a standing ovation.

"The first thing we need to do is change and believe the woman," he said simply.

He said the systems in place to guard against domestic violence were "archaic", and that the information flow between states worked against the protection of women and children.

"At the moment, if moving between states, [a woman is required to] go to court and register that information.

"We just don't have access to information that might help us protect the woman."

And finally, the Prime Minister's absence did not go unnoticed: many users pointed out that the self-appointed Minister for Women was curiously missing from one of the most poignant national conversations Australia has ever had.

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Leaks: Credlin a ‘serious dilemma’

Former Liberal Party leader John Hewson says Peta Credlin's profile is too big for a Prime Minister's chief-of-staff. Courtesy: Sky News

Peta Credlin, Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister Tony Abbott. Source: News Corp Australia

IN WHAT is set to be another major set back for Prime Minister Tony Abbott, a series of irate emails by a senior executive within the Liberal Party has been leaked, condemning the relationship between Tony Credlin and her husband, federal director Brian Loughane.

Two emails sent to 27 members of the Liberal Party executive on Sunday night, including the Prime Minister, revealed a rift so tumultuous the party's federal treasurer Philip Higginson has threatened to resign.

Excerpts from the emails, written by Mr Higginson, reveal he intends to resign over issues of transparency, stating he felt "overwhelmed by the sheer vitriol" plaguing the Liberal Party and demanded immediate action.

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"I find the situation, if it weren't so serious, almost amusing,'' wrote the Liberal Party's federal treasurer Philip Higginson. Picture: Lukas Coch Source: AAP

Liberal Party Director Brian Loughnane. Source: News Corp Australia

The Liberal Party's Philip Higginson. Source: News Limited

He felt uneasy at his "good friend" Tony Abbott being "brought down this way," no doubt in reference to questions over Mr Abbott's leadership and the recent spill, which saw the party vote in favour of the Prime Minister 61-39.

"I am overwhelmed daily by the sheer vitriol and pent-up animosities and enmities that exist," he wrote.

The "persons in our party's history" responsible for the Government's recent misgivings should "hang their collective heads in shame".

But "the most serious current dilemma" facing the Liberal Party, according to Mr Higginson, was the conflict of interest between Mr Loughnane and Ms Credlin, Tony Abbott's Chief of Staff.

"Conflict of interest is a serious problem between the Federal Secretariat ... and the PMO ... and I find the situation, if it weren't so serious, almost amusing," Mr Higginson wrote.

"How this party ever let a husband-and-wife team into those two key roles where collegiate competitive tension is mandatory and private consultations between colleagues to see each side is served well, is a complete mystery."

"A managing director would never allow his executive assistant to be the wife of the chairman".

Watchful eye: Peta Credlin, Tony Abbott's Chief of Staff looks on during a press conference during the Prime Minister's official State visit to Tokyo, Japan. Source: News Corp Australia

Brian Loughnane with Prime Minister Tony Abbott. Source: Supplied

The conflict of interest was the Liberal Party's "the most serious current dilemma". Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia

He wrote the conflict was impacting the PM on a "very, very wide front" and the party needed to tackle the "serious problem".

He described the blurred line between the party's political and organisational sectors factored into the government's "wooden and unreliable" internal communications and therefore created "a reluctance towards open and trusting lines of communication".

The furious email once again highlights the growing tension surrounding Ms Credlin, known as the most powerful woman in Canberra.

"She's aggressive, she runs vendettas against certain media people, she bans people and her briefings can be at odds with what the official line is," a source told The Australian's John Lyons.

Tony Abbott's chief-of-staff is often touted as the most powerful woman in the country. But how did she get there?

According to an unnamed source, Lyons writes, "Credlin frequently dismisses people as 'completely hopeless', even in front of Abbott".

But there is good news for the party, with the latest Newspoll revealing a rise in the polls for the Prime Minister.

The Coalition's primary vote rose three points to 38 per cent, while Labor's fell three points at an equal 38 per cent.

While the Labor Party continues to lead the way on a two-party preferred basis, Bill Shorten's approval rating has hit an all-time low of 35 per cent, down from 42 per cent.

The Herald Sun writes Mr Higginson "sent the email before heading overseas and could not be contacted".

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You call THAT a category 5...?

The timing of Cyclone Marcia couldn't have been any worse for the new Queensland government. At its first cabinet meeting, Labor's top policy priorities had to be put on hold to focus on disaster management

A CLIMATE researcher at Central Queensland University has claimed the weather bureau's Cyclone Marcia forecasts were inaccurate and irresponsible.

Jennifer Morahasy said the bureau had used computer modelling rather than early readings from weather stations to determine that Marcia was a category 5 cyclone, not a category 3.

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Dr Morahasy, who has previously clashed with the bureau over official temperature records used in arguments over global warming, said the warning should have been revised down to a category 3 given wind speeds recorded at Middle Percy Island were well below a category 5.

"It's important that the people of Yeppoon who think they've been through a category 5 know they've only been through a weak category 3,'' she said.

"Don't get me wrong, Yeppoon was really badly battered, but category 5 cyclones kill and we can tell it wasn't a category 5 on the surface readings and by the extent of the damage."

Bureau chief Rob Webb rejected the allegations, saying to suggest the bureau relied solely on modelling was incorrect.

He said the US Joint Typhoon Warning Centre had analysed Marcia as at least a category 4.

Cyclone Marcia hits Qld

Forecasters were aware of the lesser wind speed (208km/hr) recorded at Middle Percy but would not downgrade the forecast because the cyclone's strongest winds were to the east of the weather station.

Mr Webb said it would have been playing with people's lives to take such a punt.

Forecaster Jess Carey said the bureau's position was that the storm was a category 5.

The bureau's work would be reviewed as has occurred with every major weather event.

Retired senior severe weather forecast Jeff Callaghan said peak winds pulsed as storms travelled.

US Hurricane Katrina weakened just before landfall from category 5 to category 3, but still did enormous damage.

"What we know was that Marcia was a very powerful small storm as it travelled over quite a lot of land to reach the Rockhampton-Yeppoon area,'' he said.

"Similar intense small cyclones like Monica in the Top End in 2006 and of course Tracy both weakened soon after landfall.''

Qld Premier says around 350 homes have been too badly damaged by Cyclone Marcia for their owners to return.

A meteorologist who works for a commercial forecasting service and did not want to be quoted said because Marcia's strongest winds were not recorded by any station the argument was academic.

"In short, it looks more like a cat 4 but anything above a cat 3 is severe. The important thing is that people take heed of warnings,'' he said.

Jonathan Nott, a James Cook University specialist in extreme natural events, said the bureau numbers showed it was a category 5 rather than a 3.

"I would agree with the bureau,'' Professor Nott said.

"Percy didn't get the strongest winds. They were substantially stronger to the east.''

Systems Engineering Australia principal Bruce Harper, a modelling and risk assessment consultant who analyses cyclones, said it was often difficult to determine whether a storm was a marginal 3, 4 or 5.

What was important was that after the bureau conducted its post-storm analysis, it told people that they experienced category 3 impacts as it passed over the land.

It was dangerous for residents to be thinking they had survived a category 5 when it was a storm that degraded quickly.

Soldiers from 31/42 Royal Queensland Regiment help the cleanup in Rockhampton. Pic: Defence Media Source: Supplied

Rocky army of workers gets cracking

ALMOST 400 homes have been destroyed and at least 1000 properties have structural damage as the extent of devastation caused by Cyclone Marcia continues to emerge.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will today land in Rockhampton flanked by interim State Disaster Recovery Co-ordinator, acting Commissioner Katarina Carroll, to map out how to get central Queensland back on its feet.

She said 3800 properties had so far been assessed and while about 1000 had structural damage, 380 homes had been rendered uninhabitable.

"We know families are going through hardship," she said.

"We are standing with these communities."

Ms Carroll said she would ensure the recovery response was effective, efficient and "as quick as possible".

Residents struggled through their fifth day without power – and an ice shortage – with generators stolen and a bottle shop looted in the disaster zone.

Many are frustrated and angry at the lack of power and phone and internet services, shortages of fuel and ice, and a long wait for SES crews and insurance assessors.

SES volunteers help residents with the removal of trees brought down by Cyclone Marcia. Pic: Jack Tran Source: News Corp Australia

An army of workers, including soldiers, battled to restore power, water and telecommunications and clear tonnes of debris.

Ergon Energy admitted yesterday that power may not be fully restored until next week.

In what angry locals branded the "lowest of low" acts, six generators powering traffic lights in the Rockhampton CBD were stolen over the weekend. Thieves struck again after they were replaced, siphoning precious fuel. Three teens were also charged with looting a Yeppoon bottle shop.

About 100 soldiers arrived from Townsville yesterday joining SES volunteers, council workers and tree loppers cleaning up tonnes of debris.

Police, SES and council reinforcements are being sent from other areas to relieve exhausted comrades.

Brisbane mates Nic Marchesi and Lucas Patchett, who run a free mobile laundry service for the homeless, brought their van to the cyclone-ravaged region and were swamped with grateful residents brandishing baskets of muddy and smelly washing.

Originally published as You call THAT a category 5...?

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North Korea’s bizarre reaction to Ebola

North Korean state television releases photos of a military exercise observed by leader Kim Jong Un. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).

North Korea believes the Ebola outbreak was created by the US military as a biological weapon. Source: AAP

NORTH Korea has banned foreigners from entering the country for one of its most popular tourist events, the annual Pyongyang marathon, due to fears of the spread of Ebola, travel agencies have confirmed.

While no cases of Ebola have been reported anywhere near North Korea, the country began to shut out foreign tourists in October with some of the strictest Ebola regulations in the world, including a 21-day quarantine.

North Korean media have suggested Ebola was created by the US military as a biological weapon.

Nick Bonner, co-founder of Beijing-based Koryo Tours, said he did not think the decision reflected any deeper problems in the North's secretive and often enigmatic government, though the news comes amid reports leader Kim Jong Un has called for increased combat readiness and, at a meeting of senior party and military leaders, described tensions on the peninsula as graver than ever before.

North Korea has been under increasing pressure from the UN over its human rights record and is facing new sanctions from Washington over its alleged involvement in the massive hack attack on Sony Pictures in December.

Joint military exercises between the US and South Korea that the North says are a provocation will also begin soon.

Bonner said more than 400 foreign runners had signed up with his agency alone for the event, which is to be held April 12. He said he was informed by officials on Monday that the race - billed as one of the most exotic marathon locales on Earth - would be open only to local runners. Another agency specialising in North Korea travel, Young Pioneer Tours, also confirmed on its website that it was cancelling its tours for the event.

Nick Bonner, co-founder of Beijing-based Koryo Tours stands near posters for the Pyongyang marathon on display at his Koryo Tours Studio office in Beijing. Picture: Andy Wong Source: AP

Bonner, speaking with The Associated Press by phone from Beijing, said he remains hopeful the Ebola restrictions will be lifted by the end of March. Even if they are, however, the restrictions apparently made it too difficult for marathon organisers to be ready in time to deal with the influx of foreign runners.

Last year's race through the streets of Pyongyang, including a 10-kilometre (6-mile) competition and a half marathon along with the full course, was opened up to foreign recreational runners for the first time and was a big success. Elite runners from around the world are usually brought in for the main event. Bonner said they apparently won't be allowed in this year.

This photo, the 1st prize in the General News Stories category of the 2015 World Press Photo Contest by Pete Muller, USA, for National Geographic, shows medical staff at the Hastings Ebola Treatment Center escort a man in the throes of Ebola-induced delirium back into the isolation ward from which he escaped in Hastings, Sierra Leone on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014. Source: AP

A nurse is prepared with Personal Protection Equipment before entering a high risk zone in the Ebola isolation and treatment centre in Monrovia, Liberia. Picture: Jerome Delay Source: AP

The Ebola virus. Source: Supplied

Known officially as the Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon, the race is sanctioned as a bronze-label event by the International Association of Athletics Federations and has been held annually for 27 years. It is held in conjunction with a series of sporting competitions, arts festivals and cultural events marking the birthday of North Korea's founder, Kim Il Sung, on April 15.

Since the Ebola measures were announced last October, visas for non-essential travel have been halted and, regardless of country or region of origin, all foreigners allowed in are technically subject to quarantine under medical observation for 21 days.

That includes diplomats and international aid workers, though they are allowed to stay in their residences or diplomatic compounds. Even senior North Korean officials returning from trips abroad have been quarantined.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (C) inspecting a drill for striking and seizing land at an undisclosed location in North Korea. Source: AFP

The restrictions have been a disaster for travel agents.

Andrea Lee, of New Jersey-based Uri Tours, said 200 runners had signed up with her agency.

"We have not been able to run tours for several months. As a small business, it's been a difficult time," she said.

"We expect tours to resume at the latest by the summer."

North Korea has made a concerted effort to bolster its tourist trade in recent years by setting up special tourism zones and developing scenic areas and recreational facilities. Tens of thousands of Chinese tourists visit each year, according to Koryo Tours, while tourists from other countries are rarer.

Bonner said the group that had signed up for the marathon this year was the biggest his agency has put together in 10 years, and would have been one of the largest groups ever. North Korea has already informed tour agents that it does not intend to stage another major event this year, the Arirang Mass Games.

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Live ‘blooding’ claims against top trainers

Australians love their sport. Australians also love a punt. Right now, Australians love betting on greyhound racing, the sport based on pushing dogs to their limits. Courtesy ABC/Four Corners.

A HOST of greyhound racing's biggest names could face legal action after being accused of using live animals to "blood" their dogs before they enter the track.

The RSPCA is considering charges against several trainers and industry figures, while Greyhound Racing NSW has already stood down five people following a report on the practice on the ABC's Four Corners program last night.

Greyhound racing authorities in NSW, Queensland and Victoria moved to suspend more than 20 operators late last week after the investigation.

Four Corners, which launched the investigation with Animals Australia and Animal Liberation

A Greyhound chases the artificial lure that has been used for decades in place of live or dead animals. Source: News Limited

QLD, showed disturbing footage of live piglets, native possums and rabbits squealing as they were attached to lures dogs chase around the track dozens of times before mauling.

The technique is believed to encourage the dogs to run faster when chasing mechanical lures in races and has been outlawed in Australia for decades.

The program alleged that one trainer, a two-time former greyhound trainer of the year who has won more than $4 million in prizemoney, worked with a man in Londonderry NSW. The man, the program alleged, is rumoured to be the best live trainer in the state and has used rabbits to blood dogs.

Greyhounds chase a motorised artificial lure. Source: Supplied

''So I'm sure there'll be people outside and within the racing industry who will be questioning whether his winning advantage has been gained through illegal and quite horrific live baiting training practices," Animals Australia chief investigator Lyn White said in the program.

CEO of Greyhounds Australasia Scott Parker said using live animals to blood dogs was "abhorrent," while Greyhounds NSW strongly condemned the actions shown in the program, launching a joint taskforce to investigate training methods and facilities.

GRNSW chief Brent Hogan said he and the vast majority of the greyhound racing industry were disgusted with the images shown and said his organisation worked closely with the RSPCA, who raided properties in all three states.

"Live baiting is a cruel, abhorrent and archaic practice and anyone found engaging in this act needs to be punished to the full extent of the law," Mr Hogan said.

"Its illegal under the greyhound racing rules as well as the Prevention of Cruelty To Animals Act, with anyone found guilty of the offence facing up to five years in jail and a $22,000 fine under the Act."

The state body also confirmed it had stood down five people, some of whom were shown on the program.

The investigation alleges a number of operators in Western Sydney are using live animals to 'blood' their dogs. Source: Supplied

Originally published as Live 'blooding' claims against top trainers

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Has Turnbull just applied for top job?

Communications minister Malcolm Turnbull calls for mercy for Australians on death row in Indonesia, in doing so addressing the camera in a very presidential manner on ABC talk fest QA. Courtesy: ABC

IF tonight's public appearance was anything to go by, Malcolm Turnbull has come out positively prime ministerial.

With his signature wit and grin, the Communication Minister's performance on tonight's Q & A had the Twitter world a-twitter with praise, with many asking if Mr Turnbull was, in fact, submitting his job application for the top job on live TV.

The smooth-talking Mr Turnbull sounded almost regal in what many believed to be a direct, almost prime ministerial address to Indonesia to release the doomed Bali Nine duo, whose execution date is expected to be announced any day.

Not one to be plagued by gaffes, Mr Turnbull's smooth turn of phrase emerged again as he pleaded — looking directly into the camera — for Indonesia's President to release Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran

"It is the sign of the strongest love and the greatest mercy when you extend it to those who least deserve it," he said, staring directly into the hearts and souls of Indonesian officials.

"It is not a sign of weakness ... to have a bigger love, a greater mercy than any of their crimes."

Leadership material ... Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull's performance on ABC's Q & A was largely considered to be an application for the top job. Picture: ABC Source: ABC

With the leadership spill vote still fresh, Mr Turnbull was asked many leadership-related questions, including if he approved of the sacking of Liberal Party "Father", Philip Ruddock, from the position of chief government whip.

Without directly criticising Mr Abbott, Mr Turnbull said he was very "sad about the announcement", but that it was "Tony's call".

"This is Tony's decision to explain but I just want to say that Ruddock is a great Liberal, a great parliamentarian, and it was a very sad for all of us when he learnt his services as a chief whip were terminated."

Mr Turnbull also cheekily referred to Tony Abbott as "the captain" who made another "captain's pick".

"I am not going to share my opinions about my colleagues ... and I am not going to run a commentary on the PM's decisions. He didn't consult me — he's the captain, and he made the captain's call."

Fellow panellist, The Australian's foreign affairs editor Greg Sheridan, said he would give Tony Abbott a "50 per cent chance" of remaining the prime minister, and nominated Mr Turnbull as his natural successor.

"[If there was another spill], I think it is very likely the party would ask Malcolm Turnbull to take the leadership," he said.

When debating Shadow Health Minister Catherine King about the Medicare fee, Mr Turnbull also cleverly dropped a line about his time as Opposition Leader, when "he proposed" — sorry, "we proposed" — slugging smokers with a tax as "another way of getting the revenue".

Despite a lighthearted start to the program, there was a hiccup.

An audience member turned to Mr Turnbull and asked him to "personally justify the irreparable damage being done to children in detention".

Difficulty ... after a great run, Mr Turnbull ran into some trouble explaining why children are still in detention. Picture: ABC Source: ABC

Mr Turnbull attempted to focus on the welfare of children, but ended up bogged down by an argument about numbers — how many children in detention during this government's time versus how many during Labor's reign.

However, Mr Turnbull redeemed himself towards the end.

When asked how he would restore faith in politics, the Communications Minister flagged — yes, communication — and a return to a more bipartisan government where Liberal and Labor don't tear each other to shreds at every possible opportunity.

"Government and Opposition should be prepared to put their cards on the table and have a debate about the solution. And you never know — there may be a third solution."

In what could be a glimpse into the future, Mr Turnbull outlined his vision of good governance, telling the Australian public that "political contests are won — or lost — at the sensible centre".

"As politicians, we have to treat people with respect," he said.

"Don't slogan at them, don't pretend problems don't exist. Explain problems, and then you can have a debate about the solutions."

He emphasised honesty and clarity, saying: "You've got to explain honestly — no dumbing down — the problems that we face.

"The key is taking complex problems and then explaining them in a clear way — not a simplistic way.

"Once you've explained the problem, people will respect the need for a solution".

Amen. All that was missing?

"When I'm Prime Minister."

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Class action risk as hep A scare widens

Health experts expect the number of Australians to contract Hepatitis A from frozen berries to increase.

UP to nine people have now been hit with hepatitis A from contaminated frozen berries.

And the food scare that saw frozen mixed berries pulled from supermarket shelves is ripe for a class action­, a Melbourne law academic says.

As the hepatitis A scare spread to Queensland, $14.6 million was wiped off the value of Victorian company Patties Food on Monday.

Shares plunged 7.7 per cent after it was forced to recall packets of Nanna's and Creative Gourmet Mixed Berries.

It was the biggest one-day plunge since September 2009 and drove shares to a six-week low.

Three Victorians, three Queenslanders and two people in New South Wales diagnosed with hepatitis A have all reported eating 1kg packets of Nanna's Frozen Mixed Berries before becoming ill.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU'VE EATEN RECALLED FROZEN BERRIES

MARKET GOES COLD ON PATTIES FOODS OVER BERRIES SCARE

Creative Gourmet Mixed Berries 300g and 500g packs are recalled. Source: Supplied

1kg packets of Nanna's Frozen Mixed Berries have been withdrawn from sale. Source: News Corp Australia

A fourth Queenslander has tested positive to hepatitis A but it's unclear if berries were consumed.

Health authorities expect the number of those affected to rise.

The virus has an incubation period of up to 50 days.

Bairnsdale-based manufacturer Patties Foods expanded the recall on Sunday to include all 300g and 500g packs of Creative Gourmet Mixed Berries.

Customers who bought the berries are advised to return­ them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Dr Andy Schmulow, senior research associate in the school of law at the University of Melbourne, says the goods will have breached Australian consumer law if found not to be fit for human consumption.

Hepatitis A is spread when food is contaminated with faecal matter.

Patties Foods has been importing frozen berry products from China for the past six years and takes its blueberries from Chile.

Professor Enzo Palombo, Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology at Swinburne University of Technology, said freezing the berries would not eliminate the problem.

"While the virus does not grow in frozen food, it still remains infectious," he said.

Australian farmers say they are confident that homegrown fruits are the best berries money can buy.

Susie Palmer with a tray of fresh Aussie-grown berries at Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm in Main Ridge. Picture: Jay Town Source: News Corp Australia

Owner of Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm, Mick Gallace­ said Australian grown produce was subject to strict rules.

"You get a much fresher product which is grown with quality and is sold with a guarantee that you will not get sick," he said.

As a precaution, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service says it is working closely with health authorities to determine the risk of hepatitis A entering the blood supply.

It is asking donors who have eaten the three affected products and given blood after November 1 to contact them on 13 14 95.

Hepatitis A — what to look for

■ Symptoms start two to seven weeks after exposure.

■ Early symptoms include fever, nausea and loss of appetite.

■ After several days, jaundice develops: yellowed skin and eyes.

■ Dark urine, pale stools, diarrhoea.

andrew.jefferson@news.com.au

Twitter: @AndyJeffo

Originally published as Class action risk as hep A scare widens

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Baby animals ‘used as greyhound bait’

Australians love their sport. Australians also love a punt. Right now, Australians love betting on greyhound racing, the sport based on pushing dogs to their limits. Courtesy ABC/Four Corners.

SICKENING surveillance footage of baby animals being used as live bait has uncovered the greyhound racing's bloody underbelly of alleged organised animal cruelty.

The State Government has promised to crackdown on the industry after allegations that some of Victoria's top trainers and owners have been allowing live possums, piglets and rabits to be slowly mauled to death by racing dogs.

Minister for Racing Martin Pakula has labelled the live baiting practice "barbaric, abhorrent and illegal".

The ABC's Four Corners program on Monday night aired videos showing small animals squealing and being flung around racing tracks as bait.

Other animals were shown injured and stuffed into small boxes.

The live baiting crisis blew up last Wednesday when the RSPCA and police raided a greyhound training centre in Tooradin.

Greyhound Racing Victoria suspended 10 people for ­"alleged live baiting offences".

Among those implicated has been two-time Australian Greyhound Trainer of the Year Darren McDonald, who was allegedly caught on camera carrying a piglet inside a sack into the Tooradin property where dogs then mauled the animal.

Also shamed was successful Victorian trainer Stuart Mills, the brother of Andrew Mills, who was a former deputy chief steward for Greyhound Racing Victoria and now the regulator's chief racing grader.

Live baiting as shown on ABC's Four Corners program.

Another former Greyhound Racing Victoria steward, Paul Aderton, who policed the industry in his former roll, has also allegedly been caught training his dogs with live bait.

Four Corners claimed to have collected 17 videos of live baiting.

The horrific footage has shown dogs released to grab at a possum as it is flung around a racing track 26 times at high speed until it is left hanging by its spinal cord.

Animals Australia has alleged that live baiting has become a spectator sport - with rival trainers and handlers taking time out to watch each other's dogs perform.

One well-known interstate trainer was recorded excitedly telling others to smash a baby possum's head in.

Mr Pakula has promised to stamp out the cruel and illegal ­training technique.

On Monday night he announced he would be cancelling Greyhound Racing Victoria's Industry Award Night, which was due to take place this Friday.

Victoria Police and the RSPCA are investigating and the government has announced an independent investigation of the industry.

A greyhound chases an artificial lure, which is meant to be used in races.

"The Victorian Government takes a zero tolerance approach when it comes to this illegal activity and will take action to stamp out these practices for good," Mr Pakula said.

Anyone convicted of live baiting can be fined more than $30,000, jailed for two years and banned from the sport for 10 years.

RSPCA inspectorate manager Allie Jalbert said the Tooradin raid was based on information which revealed several people were allegedly involved with "significant breaches" in training practices.

Animals Australia obtained surveillance footage of live baiting happening at the Tooradin track, which was also been temporarily shut down.

The RSPCA has since launched its own wider investigation of greyhound training practices.

Greyhound Racing Victoria chief Adam Wallish condemned live baiting as a "disgusting" practice which "has no place in our sport".

"Any person engaged in live baiting can expect to be disqualified and prosecuted," Mr Wallish said.

"We have zero tolerance for these individuals."

tom.minear@news.com.au

Twitter: @tminear

Originally published as Baby animals 'used as greyhound bait'

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

The problem with I’m A Celebrity

Joel Creasey covets a framed Harry Styles as contestants receive their luxury items on Im A CelebrityGet Me Out Of Here! Courtesy: Network Ten.

Never imagined we would watch Julie Goodwin slingshotting monkeys across the African jungle, but there you have it folks. Source: Channel 10

TONIGHT'S show raised three major issues for me.

Just what has Merv done with the majority of his shirts?

How long before Lauren actually runs into the jungle in search of some poor wild creature to submit to her rage?

And mostly what I think we've all been thinking, why does this program have to be ninety minutes long?

Don't get me wrong I find mood swings as entertaining as the next man (particularly if that man is Andrew Daddo, I do love the expression on his face when a fellow camper goes a bit doo-lally).

Oh and by the way a big shout out to Anna who went in to an early morning melt down when she recalled that her beloved Tim had left, but by that same afternoon seemed to be having trouble recalling just who Tim was.

Or maybe, I'm just being cruel, seeing as it did occur in that extra thirty minutes when we all get cranky and a bit loopy.

But ninety minutes means we get a lot of time to spend watching the campers either saying just how bored and sad or happy and excited they are at any given moment. And from what I can gather at this particular point in time is that their emotions seemed to be as governed as much by wind direction as anything else.

Then of course we have the moments of great excitement, aka The Tucker Trials.

Well at least tonight we did.

I think that the producers realised the amount of anger they caused when last nights trial was nothing more dangerous than a blindfolded trip to a petting zoo.

Honestly, on other reality programs that would be considered a friggin' date.

So to make up for tonight we had my favourite pairing, Joel and Barry, tightrope walking over a dam almost two hundred meters above the ground.

Whatever you do, don't look down. Source: Channel 10

Hang on! Source: Channel 10

The next Hall and Oats? Source: Channel 10

I would rather knock back the maggot smoothie with a boar's blood chaser than have a crack at that one. But the boys manned up, grimly hanging onto each other to gather as many stars as they coal, d which despite their brave effort was sadly only two.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Joel and Barry need to keep this partnership once the show is over, I don't know maybe touring the clubs as a Hall and Oats covers band, that might work.

And of course tonight we had two new intruders, the lovely Julie Goodwin and the annoyingly likable (I'm a cricket tragic) Freddie Flintoff.

Now Freddie and Julie had to spend a night in something called the Hard Rocks Hotel, which seemed to me to be a hole in a wall that was decorated more comfortably and safely than some of the backpacker hostels I had come across in my youth.

So no big surprises that they completed the task and brought luxury items into the camp.

Ah, little luxury items like pillows and lilos and make up and what's this Lauren is unwrapping? Oh it's just the T-shirt she had her fiancee wear and then hermitically sealed in a bag so she could sit alone in the jungle and inhale his scent, nothing weird about that!

I would write more but I'm certain she will find out and thrash me mercilessly with a baboon's spinal cord.

Speaking of crazy is it just me or is the behaviour of her fellow campers starting to make Maureen appear just a tad … Oh dare I say … sane.

Or is that just what she wants you to think …

Mind you though, she did give me one of my favourite moments of the night.

She could easily grasp that Julie was a celebrity chef but Freddie's claim to fame was harder for her to grasp. So fortunately, the voice of reason, also known as Andrew Daddo stepped in to try and give the "Cricket for Dummies" explanation to Ms McCormack. It was like watching a Harvard lecturer explaining how cold fusion works to my cat. Greatly entertaining and almost endearing.

Ah, that's her plan, she's going to let Lauren do the front running on the crazy while she waits back, sharpens her weapons and organises her impending uprising.

Either that or she'll tap out some time this week.

Mikey Robins spent seven years behind the microphone as host of Triple J's National breakfast show before becoming a team leader on the iconic Channel Ten series, Good News Week. He's added stand up comedy to his long list of achievements and in 2011 Mikey went to Afghanistan to entertain the troops. You can follow him on Twitter @MikeyRobins

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rocker’s whiny letter over rider leak

Fed up ... Jack White really wants to put that guacamole incident behind him. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

JACK White just wants to move on.

The American rocker made headlines earlier this month when the University of Oklahoma's student newspaper published his tour rider and contract before his concert at the uni.

While riders are known for containing odd demands, White's was lambasted for banning bananas and providing a very specific recipe for guacamole.

(FYI: The recipe stipulates "8 large Haas avocados" should be "diced with a butter knife, 3-4 slits down, 3 or 4 across" and not too mushy.)

DIVA: Jack White's wacky tour rider released

Band ... Meg White and Jack White of The White Stripes in New York in May 2004. Picture: AP Photo/ Diane Bondareff Source: News Corp Australia

During the concert, the former White Stripes musician publicly called out the paper, The Oklahoma University Daily, for the leak and for publishing his appearance fee ($US80,000 plus 90 per cent of all tickets sales.)

Guacgate may be long over, but various media outlets have apparently continued writing about it — and White is not impressed.

The singer/songwriter penned a whiny open letter, posted to his label's website, condemning up-and-coming journalists.

Open letter ... Jack White wants to set the record straight on guacgate. Picture: Third Man Records Source: Supplied

Titled For God Sakes! the post clarifies that the guacamole recipe was an inside joke, the banana ban was due to crew allergies and that White doesn't "ask for anything".

"I know it's a fun thing for people to try to turn me into a jerk and a diva, but in this case it's pretty ridiculous and has almost nothing to do with me. my relationship with the fans at that show and how we got to a new place together through music remains intact and i'd love to do it again with them (sic)," White wrote.

"I think that's everything, can i go back to making music now? no? ok. crochet it is."

Read the full letter here.

Performer ... Jack White plays at the Eurockeennes festival in 2012. Picture: AFP/Sebastien Bozon Source: AFP

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How did this miracle cat survive?

Miracle kitty ... this poor cat was stabbed in the head and incredibly survived. Picture: RuptlyTV Source: Supplied

THIS little kitty clearly used up one its lives after being stabbed in the head — and miraculously surviving.

The cat, nicknamed Zelyoniy (which means Green), was found with a giant kitchen knife buried inches deep in its tiny skull.

RuptlyTV reports local resident Lyudmila Alexeeva found the cat in the Crimean city of Sevastopol and rushed it to a vet where the blade was surgically removed.

"When I went to look for him I found him hiding under a bush and was shocked to see a knife sticking out of his head even though he was still alive," she told local TV, according to Ebuzzword.

Lucky break ... the blade has now been removed from this feline's head. Picture: Picture: RuptlyTV Source: Supplied

Natalia Morozova, president of the Sevastopol charity fund for homeless animals, said authorities believe the cat was stabbed on Friday 13, days before it was found.

"The knife was wedged in the skull and the cat had probably run off before its attacker could remove the blade," she said.

The feline is expected to make a full recovery. An investigation is underway.

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Shark victim was ‘living Aussie dream’

A man has died after being attacked by a shark on the NSW north coast.

Police at the scene of the fatal shark attack at Shelly Beach in East Ballina. Picture: Ashleigh Saunders/Twitter Source: Twitter

• Tadashi Nakahara, 41, was sitting on surfboard when attacked
• Some of the attack may have been caught on video
• Beaches closed in search for 3.5m-4m long shark
• Fatal attack comes a day after surfer was bitten at Byron Bay
• Police won't rule out link between attacks

MONSTER sharks are prowling the north coast unrestricted with marine parks, whale migration, schools of bait fish and a lack of shark nets luring them closer to shore.

The death of Ballina surfer Tadashi Nakahara yesterday — the second fatal attack on the north coast in five months — was beamed around the world on the live stream of the Coastalwatch website, which features cameras at many of Australia's top surf spots.

ANOTHER ATTACK: SHARK 'JUMPED OUT OF THE WATER'

Police and lifesavers on Shelly Beach / Picture: Jason O'Brien Source: News Corp Australia

Tadashi Nakahara, 41, died after a shark shark attack in Ballina. Source: Supplied

Police were analysing two videos of the attack in which a 4m shark, believed to be a great white, attacked the 41-year-old, taking both of his legs and half of his board.

There have been five shark attack scares on the north coast in recent months, as authorities monitor great whites, bull sharks and bronze whalers chasing bait fish, mackerel and whales along the coast.

Mr Nakahara, a father-of-one, moved to Ballina two years ago and had been working as a distributor for Webster Surfboards.

A friend said Mr Nakahara was living his surfing dream in Australia. "He loved surfing. That was his work, that was his life. He was trying to learn everything he could about the surfing industry."

In an eerie premonition, the friend said he had discussed shark attacks with Mr Nakahara only days ago.

"There have been a few attacks in the news and I said, 'You're still paddling around out there?' He said he wasn't worried."

Surf lifesavers gather on the beach after the fatal attack. Photograph : Jason O'Brien Source: News Corp Australia

Lifesavers search for any sign of the shark at Shelly beach. Picture: Jason O'Brien Source: News Corp Australia

Commercial fisherman Dave Woods, who has worked in the area for 35 years, said fish stocks and a clampdown on commercial shark hunting on the north coast had created perfect conditions for sharks.

"In the last seven to eight years they've gotten bigger," Mr Woods said. "You have the whales, schools of bait fish, the white pilchards coming past and the mackerel run from Southport to Evans Head."

SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE

Mr Woods said bigger shark breeds were producing more pups that could grow quickly because of whale migration and fish stocks. "It's the most sharks I've ever seen," he said.

Southern Cross University marine biologist Dr Danny Bucher said increased whale numbers attracted sharks.

"Most shark attacks, the dangerous sharks, makos, great whites, tiger sharks, are migratory species and yes it's possible more whales mean more sharks but the diet would have to be balanced out by dolphins and seals being available," Dr Bucher said.

Warning... A Beach Closed sign at the spot where the man was taken. Source: News Corp Australia

He said humans were not the first choice for sharks but surfers, body boarders and deep water swimmers were most at risk of the exploratory bite, which is often fatal.

"They are trying to find out what we are, we are sitting on the surface of the ocean and they are scavengers as well as predators and they like an easy meal," he said. "They think something on the surface is dead prey and they will have an exploratory bite, which is often fatal, but most shark attacks are one bite."

Sea World marine sciences director Trevor Long has previously told The Daily Telegraph sharks cruised the coast looking for food, stalking whales, seals and dolphins, often close to shore.

Area where the attacks occurred Source: DailyTelegraph

He said the area from Ballina to Byron Bay attracted a lot of sharks. "They follow the food. Whites come in close just at the back of the surf line where the fish are," he said.

Mr Long said people should not swim in deep water alone, in river mouths or wear bright clothing that would attract sharks.

Richmond Local Area Command crime manager Detective-Inspector Cameron Lindsay described the shark as "very large" and said four surfers came to Mr Nakahara's aid. Two of the surfers saw the incident happen and helped drag him to shore, applying tourniquets but failing to stop the severe blood loss.

Police at the scene of the fatal attack. Photo: Jason O'Brien Source: News Corp Australia

Shelly Beach cordoned off yesterday. Source: News Corp Australia

Surf rescue patrol the area yesterday. Photo: Jason O'Brien Source: News Corp Australia

The victim's car is towed from the scene. Photo: Geoff Chambers Source: News Corp Australia

A Department of Primary Industries shark expert was sent to Ballina to assist police. If the shark can be identified and poses a risk to the community it can be culled.

Beaches from Lennox Head to Ballina will remain closed for 24 hours. Police are working with the Japanese consulate to inform the surfer's family and friends.

Ballina mayor David Wright said surfers had described the shark as 4m long, a "very big shark".

"It's devastating in lots of ways but particularly because he's a local," he said. "It really was a large shark because it took the back of the board and took part of the gentleman."

North coast councils opposed shark nets off popular surfing beaches.

ANOTHER ATTACK: SHARK 'JUMPED OUT OF THE WATER'

Jabez Reitman is taken to hospital / Picture: Channel 7 Source: DailyTelegraph

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‘Why did they fire 27 rounds?’

Sydney siege hostage Marcia Mikhael says she is still angry about how the police handled the situation.

EXPERTS have backed the NSW Police strategy of not using snipers to shoot Lindt Café hostage taker Man Haron Monis, but they have questioned the number of rounds fired during the incident.

Some hostages have also questioned police tactics and asked why the army wasn't used to resolve the crisis.

Former army officer, Afghanistan and Iraq veteran and military analyst James Brown said he had spoken to SAS sniper instructors who agreed with the NSW Police decision to not shoot Monis from outside the cafe.

MARCIA MIKHAEL: Siege survivor asks 'Why am I the criminal?'

MORE: 10 questions still unanswered about the Sydney siege

Harrowing incident ... the Sydney siege. Picture: Channel 7 Source: Channel 7

He said the assault was the correct decision, but he did wonder why the police Tactical Operations Unit needed to fire 27 rounds.

"The question needs to be asked and answered and if they did fire too many rounds then they will learn from it," he said.

Mr Brown said it was important not to be too clinical when assessing what was a "pressure cooker" situation.

Cafe manager Tori Johnson was murdered by Monis and Sydney barrister and mother of three Katrina Dawson was killed in the crossfire at the end of the 16-hour siege.

Terrorism expert at the Australian National University and former army officer Clive Williams said the army's Tactical Assault Group members were trained to allocate two rounds per hostage taker and that's it.

Professor Williams agreed that not using snipers was the correct call but he believes that authorities should have tried harder to talk Monis down.

SURVIVORS: 'Why I stayed behind', 'How I crawled to safety'

SECRET PLOT: How Jared and Joel tried to bring Man Haron Monis down

On stand-by ... a sniper who made the decisive call which lead to the NSW Police raiding the Lindt cafe. Picture: Channel 7 Source: Channel 7

"He (Monis) would have been impressed by a senior person on the other end of a phone," he said.

Professor Williams said he did not know why the police fired so many rounds.

"The TAG would have used two rounds — a double tap — and that would have been sufficient."

The message on the wall of the "killing house" at SAS headquarters in Perth is clear: "Our job is to save hostages and survive".

Troops serving in the SAS recovery, or counterterrorism squadrons, spend years honing their deadly skills in state-of-the-art live fire ranges.

Members of the Tactical Assualt Group (TAG west) fire thousands of rounds each week sharpening their unusual skill set.

Gunman ... Man Haron Monis from the Sydney siege. Picture: AAP Source: AAP

Re-enactment ... a scene from Channel 9's 60 Minutes special. Picture: Channel 9 Source: Channel 9

The black clad soldiers move through the 360-degree range called the room floor target complex with focused precision as targets — hostile and friendly — pop up leaving them a split second to decide whether or not to fire.

The bad guys get a double tap — two quick fire rounds to the head or chest — and the women and children are mostly left unscathed.

Similar facilities are installed at Holsworthy Army barracks in south-western Sydney where the Tactical Assault Group (East) made up of members of the 2nd Commando Regiment undergo intensive counter terrorism training.

On the scene ... NSW Police Bomb Squad members at the Sydney siege as shots rang out and ambulance crews were rushed in to treat the victims. Picture: Bill Hearne Source: News Corp Australia

An army sniper team leader who cannot be identified told News Corp that using snipers early on could have made the situation much worse.

"The police had no idea who this bloke was involved with and what devices or triggers he had,'' the sniper said.

"You can shoot one person but then you lose the rabbit warren that he might be connected to."

He said the snipers would have been equipped with special solid copper "glass cutter" rounds that have flat heads designed to defeat thick glass but collateral damage in a place like the Lindt Café was a massive factor.

Jieun (April) Bae ... a staff member of the Sydney cafe and one of the hostages, runs to armed tactical response police officers for safety. Picture: AP Source: AP

The sniper conceded that 27 rounds used during the assault was quite a lot but given it was the first time those involved had "gone live" on a room entry and the high number of guns in the fight he was not surprised.

He said tactical assault teams were trained to shoot until the threat was removed.

"They follow two simple rules. 'Failure to comply' means two rounds centrally and a third on the edge and 'no standard response' means keep firing until the target has stopped moving."

All these factors are being investigated for the NSW Coroner by a team of British police specialists.

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Passenger captures moment plane engine explodes

Passenger captures terrifying moment a plane's engine catches on fire after take-off.

A PASSENGER has captured terrifying footage showing a plane's engine catching on fire after take off.

VivaColombia Flight 8023 had just taken off from El Dorado International Airport in Bogota bound for Rionegro last Wednesday when its right engine burst into flames.

Passenger, Sebastian Jimenez Boter, 31, managed to capture the unbelievable footage after hearing an explosion after takeoff.

Footage shows the right engine engulfed in flames. Source: YouTube

"We could see a light and we thought the plane was about to explode. People were bewildered, scared. We asked the flight attendant what was happening but she was even more scared, " he told Peruvian news site El Comercio.

"I thought of the lost planes in Asia " he said.

"There were children crying, people did not know what to do. At first, the pilot spoke and said it could have been a tyre that exploded," says Sebastian. As the flames lit up the night sky, passengers held each others hands praying for a safe landing.

Emergency crew and fire engines waited on the runway as the plane circled over the city before making an emergency landing back in Bogota. Despite being seriously rattled, there were no injuries reported among its passengers.

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Great white shark attack streamed live

A man has died after being attacked by a shark on the NSW north coast.

Police at the scene of the fatal shark attack at Shelly Beach in East Ballina. Picture: Ashleigh Saunders/Twitter Source: Twitter

MONSTER sharks are prowling the north coast unrestricted with marine parks, whale migration, schools of bait fish and a lack of shark nets luring them closer to shore.

The death of Ballina surfer Tadashi Nakahara yesterday — the second fatal attack on the north coast in five months — was beamed around the world on the live stream of the Coastalwatch website, which features cameras at many of Australia's top surf spots.

ANOTHER ATTACK: SHARK 'JUMPED OUT OF THE WATER'

Police and lifesavers on Shelley Beach / Picture: Jason O'Brien Source: News Corp Australia

Tadashi Nakahara, 41, died after a fatal shark attack in Ballina. Source: Supplied

Police were analysing two videos of the attack in which a 4m shark, believed to be a great white, attacked the 41-year-old, taking both of his legs and half of his board.

There have been five shark attack scares on the north coast in recent months, as authorities monitor great whites, bull sharks and bronze whalers chasing bait fish, mackerel and whales along the coast.

Mr Nakahara, a father-of-one, moved to Ballina two years ago and had been working as a distributor for Webster Surfboards.

A friend said Mr Nakahara was living his surfing dream in Australia.

"He loved surfing. That was his work, that was his life. He was trying to learn everything he could about the surfing industry."

In an eerie premonition, the friend said he had discussed shark attacks with Mr Nakahara only days ago.

"There have been a few attacks in the news and I said, 'You're still paddling around out there?' He said he wasn't worried."

Surf lifesavers gather on the beach after the fatal attack. Photograph : Jason O'Brien Source: News Corp Australia

Lifesavers search for any sign of the shark at Shelly beach. Picture: Jason O'Brien Source: News Corp Australia

Commercial fisherman Dave Woods, who has worked in the area for 35 years, said fish stocks and a clampdown on commercial shark hunting on the north coast had created perfect conditions for sharks.

"In the last seven to eight years they've gotten bigger," Mr Woods said. "You have the whales, schools of bait fish, the white pilchards coming past and the mackerel run from Southport to Evans Head."

SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE

Mr Woods said bigger shark breeds were producing more pups that could grow quickly because of whale migration and fish stocks. "It's the most sharks I've ever seen," he said.

Southern Cross University marine biologist Dr Danny Bucher said increased whale numbers attracted sharks.

"Most shark attacks, the dangerous sharks, makos, great whites, tiger sharks, are migratory species and yes it's possible more whales mean more sharks but the diet would have to be balanced out by dolphins and seals being available," Dr Bucher said.

Warning... A Beach Closed sign at the spot where the man was taken. Source: News Corp Australia

He said humans were not the first choice for sharks but surfers, body boarders and deep water swimmers were most at risk of the exploratory bite, which is often fatal.

"They are trying to find out what we are, we are sitting on the surface of the ocean and they are scavengers as well as predators and they like an easy meal," he said. "They think something on the surface is dead prey and they will have an exploratory bite, which is often fatal, but most shark attacks are one bite."

Sea World marine sciences director Trevor Long has previously told The Daily Telegraph sharks cruised the coast looking for food, stalking whales, seals and dolphins, often close to shore.

Area where the attacks occurred Source: DailyTelegraph

He said the area from Ballina to Byron Bay attracted a lot of sharks. "They follow the food. Whites come in close just at the back of the surf line where the fish are," he said.

Mr Long said people should not swim in deep water alone, in river mouths or wear bright clothing that would attract sharks.

Richmond Local Area Command crime manager Detective-Inspector Cameron Lindsay described the shark as "very large" and said four surfers came to Mr Nakahara's aid. Two of the surfers saw the incident happen and helped drag him to shore, applying tourniquets but failing to stop the severe blood loss.

Police at the scene of the fatal attack. Photo: Jason O'Brien Source: News Corp Australia

Shelly Beach cordoned off yesterday. Source: News Corp Australia

Surf rescue patrol the area yesterday. Photo: Jason O'Brien Source: News Corp Australia

The victim's car is towed from the scene. Photo: Geoff Chambers Source: News Corp Australia

A Department of Primary Industries shark expert was sent to Ballina to assist police. If the shark can be identified and poses a risk to the community it can be culled.

Beaches from Lennox Head to Ballina will remain closed for 24 hours. Police are working with the Japanese consulate to inform the surfer's family and friends.

Ballina mayor David Wright said surfers had described the shark as 4m long, a "very big shark".

"It's devastating in lots of ways but particularly because he's a local," he said. "It really was a large shark because it took the back of the board and took part of the gentleman."

North coast councils opposed shark nets off popular surfing beaches.

ANOTHER ATTACK: SHARK 'JUMPED OUT OF THE WATER'

Jabez Reitman is taken to hospital / Picture: Channel 7 Source: DailyTelegraph

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‘We beg you, please don’t kill our sons’

Family members of two Bali Nine drug traffickers due to be executed this month arrive in Jakarta to plead for their lives. Rough cut (no reporter narration)

Mercy dash ... Myuran Sukumaran's brother and mother, left, with Andrew Chan's brother and mother in Jakarta yesterday. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

THE families of Bali Nine drug traffickers Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran have begged Indonesia's President and the Government to spare their lives.

Raji Sukumaran, mother of Myuran, last night read a statement in Jakarta on behalf of herself and Helen Chan, the mother of Andrew Chan.

They were words from a mother's heart: "We beg for mercy for our sons, we beg you to spare our sons' lives, we beg you, please don't kill our sons."

They begged the President to see the unique nature of their case and to look personally at all the rehabilitation programs they have set up in the jail and the testimonies of the people they have helped.

BEGGING: Bali Nine families try new plea

FUTURE: Bali Nine duo 'meant to get life'

"I beg if you do not think this enough, to please give more time to continue to do good works for many other prisoners," Mrs Sukumaran said.

She said she did not accept that the executions will go ahead.

"I am not accepting that it is going to go ahead. I don't want to think about it ... I am hoping and praying that it won't get to that. I don't know what will happen to our family if it happens. I am not thinking of that," she said, tearfully.

She said her son was "very sad, really upset, he doesn't know what to do ... he is confused, he doesn't know what to do."

Heartbroken ... Raji Sukumaran, mother of Myuran Sukumaran, is begging for her son's release. Picture: Oscar Siagian/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Myuran Sukumaran's mother gives a statement after visiting the Human Rights Commission in Jakarta. Picture: Supplied Source: News Corp Australia

Myuran Sukumaran's brother Chintu and their mother Raji give a statement. Picture: Supplied Source: News Corp Australia

Brother Chinthu said his sibling was worried about what would happen to his mother, father and sister after he is gone.

"I spend most of my time talking about that. I promise him I will look after them," he said emotionally.

Mrs Sukumaran said that she blamed the Australian Federal Police 100 per cent for the fact that her son and Chan are about to be shot dead.

Michael Chan, older brother of Andrew, said that while he did not agree with the AFP's role in their arrest, the time now was to save them.

The families travelled to Jakarta on Monday to beg the country's leader to show mercy and call off their death by firing squad.

The two families' initial plan was to take their mercy plea to Indonesia's Presidential Palace, but their bid to get their message directly to the President was called off after massive rain and flooding in Jakarta.

They later spoke at a press conference at a Jakarta hotel instead.

Begging for mercy ... Myuran Sukumaran's brother Chintu and mother Raji, and Andrew Chan's brother Michael and mother Helen, have made a last, desperate bid for the pair to be saved. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro Source: Supplied

Their emotional trip comes as lawyers for Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran — who are scheduled for execution within the month — plan to lodge a new court action, challenging the President's refusal of their clemency bid.

The legal team plans to lodge a new legal action in the State Administrative Court in Jakarta, suing the current President for rejecting the Chan and Sukumaran's clemency pleas without assessing them individually.

The basis for the claim is that the President said he was rejecting all clemency pleas from drug traffickers as a blanket rule — because he claimed Indonesia is the grip of a drug emergency — rather than considering each case on its merits.

Devastated ... Andrew Chan's brother Michael and mother Helen have begged for mercy. Picture: Supplied Source: News Corp Australia

Painful wait ... the families of Bali Nine ringleaders, Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, pictured at the airport in Bali on the way to Jakarta. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro Source: Supplied

It comes amid claims that Indonesia's research and basis for claiming there is a drug emergency where drugs kill 40 to 50 people each day is dodgy and based on "questionable statistics".

The legal team claims that the Bali Nine cases are extraordinary in that Chan and Sukumaran have become reformed prisoners and have set about running a series of rehabilitation programs within Kerobokan Jail which have trained and skilled many Indonesian prisoners.

The claim is unusual and appears to be untried but the legal team is trying every possible legal avenue to save their lives.

Former Supreme and Constitutional Court Judge, Laica Marzuki, said the strategy of taking a legal action against the President in the State Administrative Court was reasonable because the Presidential decree, denying clemency, was part of the state administrative products.

"In this situation, I cannot give a prediction. I only can say that it is reasonable based on legal basis. Whether it can be granted or not, it is determined by legal politic nowadays," Mr Marzuki said.

"Many people nowadays want execution for drug convicts, even if it is against the constitution," he said.

Clemency hope ... Andrew Chan's brother Michael and mother Helen pictured after visiting the Human Rights Comission office in Jakarta, beginning the President to spare their son and brother. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro, Source: Supplied

The former Judge says that the death penalty does nothing to deter crime or drugs and he was saddened about the renewed vigour for the death penalty.

Michael Chan, the older brother of Andrew Chan, their mother Helen, and Myuran Sukumaran's mother Raji and brother Chinthu, flew to Jakarta early Monday to make a plea outside the Presidential Palace.

They also joined with Komnas HAM, the Indonesian human rights organisation, in their bid to save the two Sydney men from the firing squad.

Lawyers for Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran are launching a rare challenge against the Indonesian President's refusal to grant them pardons

Before leaving Bali Michael Chan told News Corporation they hoped to show Indonesians what Chan and Sukumaran are doing within the prisons, running rehabilitation programs and teaching skills and bettering the lives of Indonesian prisoners.

He said the family knew that President Joko Widodo was not in Jakarta but hoped their message got through to him through aides about their works and they deserved a second chance.

Sukumaran's brother Chinthu said the case of the two Australians were special and the families hope this message can be delivered to the President.

"We are not asking for too much," he said.

"It is probably our last chance to ask the President to give these guys a second chance and want them to know exactly what these two boys are doing inside the prison."

Family support ... Myuran Sukumaran's brother Chintu and mother Raji are trying everything to save their brother and son from death by fire squad. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro Source: Supplied

Mr Sukumaran said the family was seeking the same mercy that the Indonesians have sought, saving the lives of their own citizens on death row around the world.

He said his brother was hoping that the authorities would listen to their plea.

The families met with two Commissioners at the human rights body, Komnas HAM in Jakarta.

Commissioner Roichatul Arwidah said Komnas would write to the President, asking him cancel the execution of Chan and Sukumaran, saying the war on drugs should not be fought by simply executing people.

Inmates ... Bali Nine Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran inside the workshop of Kerobokan jail in Bali. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

He said the mothers of the two Australians were in tears during their meeting.

"The real purpose of punishment and justice in Indonesia is to make people become a better person. Both of these young boys have done many good things, and they have became good people in the prison. They have been doing many things. Painting, an art gallery, computer course, and many other good things in the prison. The money they got from selling the paintings has also been given to the prison," Mr Arwidah said.

He called on the Government to consider clemency and mercy on a case-by-case basis not with a blanket policy for all.

"Komnas HAM does not agree with the death sentence. It violates our Constitution, especially article 28 i, which says that right to life cannot be reduced. We ask the government to implement moratorium of death sentence," he said.

"They were crying while conveying all the things to us. They are very sad. We really understand, it is the sadness of two mothers," Mr Arwidah said.

Last hope ... condemned Bali Nine duo Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan talk to their lawyer Rivan in the cell at Denpasar District Court. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro Source: News Corp Australia

Chan and Sukumaran have been on death row since 2006, convicted of trying to export 8.2kg of heroin from Bali to Sydney.

They have lost all appeals against the death sentence and last week, a bid to lodge a second judicial review of the case was rejected on the grounds they had no new evidence.

Then on the weekend, the pair's former lawyer Muhammad Rifan made the shock claim that he had possible new evidence which could help the condemned duo. He claimed there had been political interference and that the Judges had intended to give a life sentence but intervention ensured the death penalty was handed down.

And one of the Judges who sentenced Sukumaran has told News Corporation that she never wanted to give him the death penalty but had been over ruled by her two fellow judges.

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The worst part of the Grammys

Sombre ... Katy Perry. Picture: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

SOMBRE was the word when it came to many of this year's Grammy performances, making the ceremony seem even longer than its already excessive near four hour running time.

After AC/DC started the party with volume, devil horns and Highway to Hell, from there on 2015 was the year pop singers really wanted to show us they could sing.

GRAMMY WINNERS: Who has taken home awards?

Normally fun, Katy Perry managed to be even more sombre than the anti-violence statement she followed. Perry chose to air her divorce ballad By the Grace of God (aka Eff You Russell Brand) at the event, just to bring the tone down.

Boring ... Katy Perry on stage. Picture: John Shearer/Invision/AP Source: AP

Gwen Stefani and Adam Levine are known for funk and pop anthems. Put them together, however, and you got the terminally dull My Heart is Open, one of the songs Sia wrote but didn't bother keeping for herself. There was less movement in the face of Nicole Kidman than in the arrangement of their duet.

Fell flat ... Gwen Stefani, left, and Adam Levine. Picture: John Shearer/Invision/AP) Source: AP

Ariana Grande took time away from not being photographed on her left side to pluck an album track, Just a Little Bit of Your Heart, for her Grammys moment. The ballad was written by Harry Styles, and is the least interesting thing he's been involved with since Kendall Jenner.

And if you thought Kanye West might stir things up we caught the rapper back in balladeer mode when he wasn't almost restage invading, with his near target this time a confused Beck.

SOCIAL MEDIA: Grammy stars

With the help of his trusty autotune, and an actual Beatle, Kanye was on stage twice. First he sang ballad Only One, a tender ode to his daughter, which he performed wearing a tracksuit that's worth more than your car, presumably. 'Ye then returned for FourFiveSeconds, the folky hit he made with Rihanna and, again, Paul McCartney. McCartney's microphone seemed to be turned down as low as the mood of the evening, Rihanna shone and you're wondering how such a simple, minimal song has nine different individuals listed as co-writers.

Low mood ... Paul McCartney, from left, Rihanna, and Kanye West. Picture: John Shearer/Invision/AP Source: AP

It wasn't all flatlines however. Madonna delivered a euphoric version of her new single Living For Love. The performance featured a gospel choir elevating proceedings, a trick she's used very effectively in the past on Madge classics Like a Prayer and the underrated Nothing Fails.

Sia again proved no one sings as passionately to a wall as she does, effortlessly hitting those notes on Chandelier, with her partying feet the only glimpse we had that she was really enjoying the hidden moment. Some people are getting sick of the face hiding, but it's nice to see an artist who puts the attention on her songs and her voice and not herself.

RED CARPET: Fashion rockers and shockers

Ed Sheeran's hit Thinking Out Loud became a bit muso with very special guests John Mayer and Herbie Hancock. However Sheeran was then joined by Jeff Lynne, the unlikely pairing belting out two classic ELO hits — Devil Woman and Mr Blue Sky, both written almost two decades before Sheeran was born. A lot of young Sheeran fans are about to discover ELO and that's a great thing.

Special performance ... Ed Sheeran. Picture: Larry Busacca/Getty Images Source: AFP

Annie Lennox was Hozier's guest on Take Me to Church, but she ended up giving everyone watching an education in how to really sing with soul as she tore into I Put a Spell On You and even played harmonica using her hands. Sam Smith and Mary J Blige actually took people to church with a gospel-tinged Stay With Me. Smith blitzed the awards, and it's a great sign of progress when the Grammy Song of the Year was written by a man for another man, a fact which hasn't been hidden or denied.

His night ... Sam Smith won four Grammys. Picture: Jason Merritt/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Meanwhile it must have been really bright inside the Staples Centre in LA as country star Eric Church kept his sunglasses on.

As the night wore on (and on, and on) Gwyneth Paltrow was one of many celebrities who used their job of introducing a performer to make sure we knew they were friends with said performer. LL Cool J is friends with Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift is friends with Sam Smith and now we know Paltrow and Beyonce are pals. More importantly Beyonce sang Martin Luther King's favourite song, the gospel anthem Take My Hand, Precious Lord. If there was anyone wavering about joining the Beyhive, her fan club should prepare for an influx of new members after her powerful, powerhouse vocals.

Queen Bey. Picture: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS Source: Getty Images

After a night of one-sided award victories (Sam Smith and Beck) and random nominations (Meghan Trainor) Common and John Legend closed proceedings with their emotional collaboration Glory, from the equal rights movie Selma to remind everyone why music matters.

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